Godfrey-Lee Public Schools is proud to announce that they will be purchasing Bloom Credit Union’s Wyoming building. The district closed on the deal on Dec. 15.
The Wyoming location of Bloom Credit Union, located on 1414 Burton St. SW, is right next door to Godfrey-Lee’s Administration Building, separated only by a fence.
Superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Schools Arnetta Thompson and Bloom CEO Joe Heintskill in front of Bloom Credit Union (Courtesy, Godfrey-Lee Schools)
Bloom Credit Union is relocating their administrative offices and bank branch to other locations in Wyoming and Grand Rapids. Godfrey-Lee was able to benefit from the move by partnering and purchasing the current building. They hope to create a new administration building with potential for a conference and community center.
Bloom Credit Union has always been a community partner of the district. For years, Bloom has shared their parking lot with Godfrey-Lee due to lack of space at the Administration building, and has consistently provided in-kind donations for students.
Lee High School recently celebrated 100 years in the district and launched a fundraising campaign for a new scoreboard at their athletic complex. Bloom received the campaign postcard in the mail and committed to donating the funds for the scoreboard.
Bloom Credit Union will soon be relocating their administrative offices to a larger space in Grand Rapids. Their 1414 Burton St. SW branch will continue to operate from the same location until they open another nearby branch at a later date.
At approximately 9:20 a.m. on Nov. 10, police personnel from the Wyoming Police Department responded to 982 Lee Street SW (Godfrey-Lee Schools East Lee Campus) on the report of school staff locating a firearm in a student’s backpack.
The 15-year-old Godfrey-Lee student was taken into police custody without incident.
Godfrey-Lee’s school staff were able to safely locate this weapon by following word-of-mouth rumors that someone had brought a firearm into their school. The Godfrey-Lee school faculty’s commitment to the safety of their students is unwavering and truly exemplified by their diligence in following up on this matter.
This incident will be presented to the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office for a review of appropriate charges.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police detectives at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345; 1-866-774-2345; or https://www.silentobserver.org.
In the fall of 2020, the Wyoming Tree Commission (The Tree Amigos), with volunteer helped planted trees in the Godfrey-Lee area. (Courtesy, Wyoming Tree Commission)
Whether it be the shade from a hot summer day to the colorful leaves dropping that add nature’s beauty in the fall, trees can provide a natural respite for a community as well as improve air and water quality.
However, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, underserved communities tend to have fewer trees than other city neighborhoods and local organizations working to add tree canopy to those areas can face unique challenges.
To help make a difference in one such area are three organizations, the City of Wyoming Tree Commission – The Tree Amigos, the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, and ReLeaf Michigan. Tuesday, May 23, the groups will come together to plant 20 trees at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, 961 Joosten St. SW, to plant 20 trees. Volunteers also are being sought to help with the project.
Building Shade Equity
“We are working in Godfrey Lee for two reasons,” said Estelle Slootmaker, who is a member and founder of Tree Commission (The Tree Amigos), which noted the group has planted trees in the Godfrey-Lee district in the past. “The area’s canopy has been disastrously decreased by storms and development.
“The neighborhood, like many U.S. neighborhoods experiencing income challenges, lacks shade equity. Shaded neighborhoods promote mental health, reduce crime, have cleaner air with less asthma and other breathing conditions, and higher property values.”
The other reason the commission has selected the Godfrey-Lee area was because of the advocacy of volunteers Susan VanBronkhorst and Rosemary Davis, who have advocated for planting in the neighborhood, and because of Godfrey-Lee science teacher Deb Truszkowski, who has been working to get The Tree Amigos active with the district.
Truszkowski said it was a National Geographic article that raised her awareness for the lack of tree canopies in underserved areas. She teaches a world disasters course at the high school which focuses on climate change.
“We are currently looking into areas that lack tree canopies and how that affects a community,” Truszkowski said, adding the classes have been discussing how redlining, where lenders refused loans to people living in a certain area, impacted a neighborhood and its environment, such as parks, green space and trees.
Students from two of Truszkowski’s classes will participate in the planting along with talking to volunteers and learning from ReLeaf Michigan.
Volunteer Opportunities
ReLeaf Michigan, a 35-year-old non-profit organization, partners with communities statewide to replenish community tree canopies through volunteer tree planting events. In 2022, the DTE Foundation granted $350,000 to ReLeaf for tree plantings in communities throughout the state.
Slootmaker said ReLeaf is providing the 20 trees and the organization’s forester helped select the planting sites. On planting day, ReLeaf representatives will be there to provide instruction and supervise the plantings.
“They will be providing information on the proper way to plant and for the trees,” Slootmacher said, adding it is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about planting and green spaces.
Those interested in volunteering — no planting experience is necessary — should wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing and bring a shovel, hard rake, and work gloves if they have them. The group will meet at Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center located, 961 Joosten St. SW, at 8:45 a.m. to sign in, enjoy refreshments, and watch a planting demonstration with ReLeaf Michigan’s tree experts.The event occurs rain or shine.
Godfrey-Lee coach Lamar Marshall said his team’s 66-6 loss to visiting New Buffalo on Friday was filled with mental mistakes and drive killers, but his athletes fought hard until the end.
(Image courtesy of Godfrey-Lee)
“We had some drive killers — stalled in the red zone four times, dropped four touchdown passes, fumbled in the red zone once,” said Marshall, whose Legends dropped to 0-3 this season in 8-player football. “We beat ourselves tonight. We need to clean up the mental errors.
“Making the short tackle kind of killed us tonight. New Buffalo had a really good night rushing.”
Elijah Beckwith, who went down with a hamstring injury in the game, led with nine carries for 76 yards and one touchdown for the Legends. He had the lone score in the second quarter on a 69-yard TD run just before halftime.
No penalties
“We didn’t have one penalty today so that was a plus,” Marshall said. “My boys fought until the end. There was no letdown.
“We encouraged each other and fought hard, but we were a little overmanned today.”
Send us your live game photos
We are always looking for great football game photos to post with our WKTV Journal stories on Friday nights. Please email your cool game night football pix to greer@wktv.org
WKTV Game of the Week
Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.
The Godfrey-Lee Legends at practice in 2021. (WKTV)
By Zach Fanko, WKTV Conributing Writer
Featuring a strong rushing attack and an opportunistic defense, the Mendon Hornets jumped ahead early and never looked back in a 76-12 victory over Godfrey-Lee in 8-player action on Thursday.
Ground and pound for Mendon
Mendon ran it early and often against the Legends to the tune of 444 yards on 31 carries. Hornets running back Jack McCaw was the largest beneficiary with 210 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.
Mendon coach Robert Kretschman said it all starts up front.
“Being able to control the line of scrimmage was key for us,” Kretschman said. “That’s our M.O., ground and pound and playing solid defense.”
The Hornets completed just one pass on three attempts, an 81-yard touchdown from quarterback Luke Schinker to tight end Gabe Haigh.
Turnovers end promising drives for Lee
Godfrey-Lee had several promising drives early. One of which ended in a touchdown pass for quarterback Anthony Block, making his first start of the season after missing last week’s game due to injury. Three other drives ended in interceptions.
(Image courtesy of Godfrey-Lee)
“We sustained drives in the first half,” Lee coach Lamar Marshall said. “The drive killers got us, those interceptions ended some good looking drives.”
After a strong game last week, running back Elijah Beckwith added 88 yards on the ground including a 50-yard rushing touchdown.
Mendon (1-1) hosts Bridgman on September 9 at 7 p.m., while Godfrey-Lee (0-2) hosts New Buffalo September 9 at 7 p.m.
Send us your live game photos
We are always looking for great football game photos to post with our WKTV Journal stories on Friday nights. Please email your cool game night football pix to greer@wktv.org.
WKTV Game of the Week
Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.
Farwell defeats the Godfrey-Lee Legends 66-16 in 8-Player football. (Image courtesy of Godfrey-Lee)
By Zach Fanko, WKTV Contributing Writer
A high-powered rushing attack was the catalyst for Farwell with over 450 yards on the ground in a 66-16 win over Godfrey-Lee in 8-Player action.
Dominant ground performance
The Eagles jumped out to a 22-0 lead early in the first quarter and never looked back as Michael Nunn led the way on the ground with 235 yards and 3 TDs. Farwell established its physical brand of football, according to coach Travis Waddell.
“Our kids were excited to play out of the gate,” Waddell said. “We like to play a physical style of play and we were able to do that on the ground early.
“That really opened things up for us.”
The Eagles nearly shut out the Legends heading into halftime, giving up just a kickoff return TD to make it a 50-8 advantage at the break. Dominic Crabill was all over the field for Farwell with 14 total tackles on the night.
Freshman thrust into starting role due to injury
J.T. Kennedy, a slot receiver, started at quarterback after an injury to starter Anthony Block during the week. Kennedy threw for 58 yards on 4-8 passing and 40 yards on the ground. The young quarterback showed poise making his first start, according to Godfrey-Lee coach Lamar Marshall.
“Not an ideal situation for our team,” Marshall said. “But I thought J.T. played very well given the circumstances.”
Beckwith shines despite loss
One of the bright spots for the Legends was the rushing performance for running back Elijah Beckwith, who gained 167 yards on 22 carries with a rushing score. Beckwith also had an 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
“We were really able to exploit the outside zone play,” Marshall said. “We were able to get to the outside of their defense a few times and got some big plays.”
Godfrey-Lee hopes to bounce back traveling to Mendon on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
KDL Branch Outreach and Program Specialist Ty Papke and Godfrey-Lee Media Specialist Harry Coffill take a break in the new East Lee Campus library. (Supplied/KDL)
When Godfrey-Lee’s Media Specialist Harry Coffill shared that the district’s East Lee Campus did not have a library and due to budget constraints, the chances that the alternative high school getting one were slim, staff at the Kent District Library listened.
The welcome sign at the new East Campus library. (Supplied/KDL)
After all, the chance to get books in the hands of anyone, especially students, is a temptation that no librarian can ever really resist, so the KDL staff partnered with the the Godfrey-Lee media staff and built a private collection for the school.
“We really focused on providing books and materials that would be popular for that specific population,” said Ty Papke, the branch outreach and programming specialist for the KDL Wyoming and Kelloggsville branches. “The students also will have access to the KDL full catalog and will be able to request books from other KDL branches which will be delivered by the KDL Bookmobile.”
The groundbreaking collaboration started two years ago with KDL and Godfrey-Lee staff looking through the KDL’s collection for possible selections for the new library. Through discussion, it was decided that while the library would have books that connect to the East Lee curriculum, the new library’s main focus would be to encourage reading, Papke said.
The new East Lee Campus library was designed with the student population in mind. (Supplied/KDL)
“We want the students to enjoy reading rather than feel like they are forced to,” he said, adding that the collection was designed so students would be able to find books about people that are like them, helping to give a voice to what students are facing whether they are Spanish speakers, LGBTQ, or teen parents.
Therefore, the collection has a broad selection that includes teen fiction, novels, graphic novels, junior level chapter books, and some picture books for those with younger siblings or have children of their own.
A former classroom was converted at the East Lee Campus with shelves and signage added with some comfy furniture as well.
“I’m really excited about building a community partnership with KDL that allows East Lee students access to exciting literature choices while engaging them in a relationship with a community library that will serve them well into the future,” Coffill said in a recent release about the new library. “The books chosen for the KDL Godfrey-Lee library are exciting, and I can’t wait to see our students utilize the space.”
Unfortunately, the East Lee students have not had a chance to “check out” the library since the school has been in virtual learning well before the recent Michigan Department of Health and Human Services three-week partial shut-down order that took effect on Nov. 18.
Papke said there also is a goal to have the students come to a KDL branch and do a “shopping spree” of sorts among the stacks for books they would like to see in the new East Lee library. This adventure will have to wait due to the COVID situation, he said.
For now, Papke said KDL is pleased to be able to help connect students to books in hopes they too will become lifelong readers.
The East Lee library is the first private collection at a school that KDL has built. In 2017, KDL opened the KDL Kelloggsville branch in partnership with Kelloggsville Public School. The KDL Kelloggsville branch, located in the high school, was the first KDL-school partnership. The Kelloggsville branch is open to the public after school. Currently, all KDL branches are closed to the public and only offering online services and curbside pick up.
Our partners at School News Network have been hard at work following the schools as they reopened for the 2020-2021 school year. Here are just some of things that took place in September. For more stories on local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Anne Frank was Cora’s inspiration for her award-winning painting (School News Network)
Kentwood: Inspired by a young girl’s thoughts
Learn how the story of Anne Frank inspired East Kentwood ninth grader Cora Hovermale to create the wining piece for the Happy Family Anne Frank Family Art and Writing Competition hosted by Farmington Hills’ Holocoust Memorial Center. Click here.
Students sit in flexible seating arrangements (School News Network)
Wyoming: ‘A positive in a time that is somewhat negative’
Take a sneak peek at the new Wyoming High School, the central piece of $40 million in renovation and upgrades under way at the high school campus. The building located at 1350 Prairie Parkway features a spacious facility with lots of windows, collaboration spaces and project rooms. Click here for more.
Third-grade remote teacher Maggie Cherry’s car was filled almost to the brim after she put together more than 40 supply kits for her students (School News Network)
Godfrey-Lee: Supply kits for online learners help ensure student success
This fall, Godfrey-Lee teachers had the opportunity to learn from last spring’s challenges. With the entire district starting school remotely for a few weeks and some students staying remote for the semester or year, teachers put together and distributed supply kits for their students — whatever they might need for a class — to help make sure everyone can be successful at home. Curious as to what was included in those kits? Click here to find out.
Eric Alcorn (School News Network)
Kelloggsville: Sports enthusiast, music fan, family man
A familiar face to Kelloggsville Public Schools, Eric Alcorn was recently named the district’s auxiliary services director and athletic director. Alcorn is a sports lover but there is more to the former Kelloggsville High’s assistant principal. Click here to learn more about Alcorn better.
For more stories about schools in Kent County, visit School News Network at schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Glenwood Elementary second-grade teacher Lauren Heald leads her class earlier this school year using the Capturing Kids Hearts model (School News Network)
Godfrey-Lee: Gaming club doubles membership its first season
The Godfrey-Lee’s first esports club grew from 18 students last fall to 40 middle and high schoolers competing in games such as Super Smash Bros., Ultimate, Fortnite, Overwatch and Mario Kart. In-person gaming clubs are growing in local districts and beyond. Other area esports teams include Catholic Central, East Grand Rapids, Lowell, Rockford, Sparta, Kentwood, West Catholic and West Michigan Aviation Academy. Aquinas College hosts sports competitions and West Michigan University has built an arena to accommodate esports. For more, click here.
Kentwood teachers are using KPS Remote Learning and Tech Talk as a go-to spot for tech tool instruction (School News Network)
Kentwood: Teachers tap into one another’s knowledge for remote teaching
Kentwood Public Schools educators have been sharing their knowledge and the tools they use in their classrooms with other teachers as the district quickly switched to remote learning due to the state-mandated closure of schools to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Just how did they accomplish this? Click here to learn more.
Director of Dining Services Monica Collier, far right, holds her statewide award for Breakfast Hero given to her by Mindy Grant, Michigan Breakfast Program grant manager, second from right. Lee Middle and High School student council members surround the breakfast cart Collier implemented (School News Network)
Godfrey-Lee: I’ll take that to go, please, for geometry class
With most of the students at Godfrey-Lee receiving free or reduce meals, you would think breakfast would be popular, but turnout was quite low for the morning meal. That is until Godfrey-Lee Dining Services Director Monica Collier created the breakfast cart program last fall, earning a state award for her idea in early March before the mandatory school closure due to COVID-19. To learn more about the breakfast cart program click here.
Two years of work and a National Professional Development grant helped Andrea Donovan complete an English as a Second Language endorsement at no cost. (School News Network)
Step into Andrea Donovan’s freshman English classroom at Lee High School for a minute, and listen. You’re going to hear a lot of Spanish. This is not surprising in a district where roughly half of all students are English-language learners.
“I receive all the newcomers when they come into the high school — they all take English 9, regardless of their grade or where they finished in their home country,” said Donovan.
She has a new set of skills to serve those students, thanks to a National Professional Development grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Donovan is part of a 15-teacher cohort that completed English Language Certification in May through the grant, administered by Aquinas College’s School of Education. The grant covered tuition for eight courses required for a K-12 English as a Second Language endorsement onto an already existing teaching certificate.
Andrea Donovan, an English teacher at Lee High School, leads her students, many of whom are English-language learners. (School News Network)
“It’s one of the best things I’ve done educationally and professionally,” said Donovan. “There is such a need in our district.”
Her cohort included four other teachers from Godfrey-Lee, as well as teachers from neighboring districts who have been meeting regularly since fall of 2017 to take classes toward certification. Donovan said that in her experience and from what she’s heard from others in her cohort, the work is paying off.
“Teachers now feel more comfortable working with English-language learners,” she said. “At the end of the day, these are really good strategies.”
Strategies that help students like Vidaura Pavlo.
Vidaura came to the district two years ago from Guatemala by way of California. She took a break from Donovan’s class, where she was studying “Romeo and Juliet,” to share that it wasn’t uncommon when she first arrived in America to have people get impatient with her due to her difficulty understanding English.
But her English has improved greatly in the last few years, due in large part to the help of Donovan and her teaching partner, Brenda Caballero.
Vidaura Pavlo, originally from Guatemala, said she enjoys being able to translate for her family as her English improves. (School News Network)
“When I’m with my parents, at the store or when we’re traveling, I translate for them,” said Vidaura, who is quickly gaining confidence with her English.
Donovan said a huge strength of the certification program is that it helps teachers see English-language learners as an asset, not a burden.
“They’re walking the path to bilingualism, and it will make them more successful,” said Donovan. “I think oftentimes maybe in populations where they don’t have a lot of experience working with ELLs, they do view that as a deficit because they might struggle in their second language, which is English. However, we have to realize that they’re bringing so many skills from their culture and of course their native language to the classroom.
The program has also equipped Donovan with a model known as Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol or SIOP — a way to make material more understandable to ELL students. Donovan has been following the model for her lesson plans.
“My intention is not to water down the lessons, but to make them more comprehensible,” said Donovan, who has already seen improvements in grades when comparing unit assessments from this year to last.
Rodolfo Castillo, who came to Lee High School from Mexico last fall, hopes his bilingualism will help him succeed. (School News Network)
Successful Students, Community Assets
Briana Asmus is an associate professor of education and ESL/Bilingual program director at Aquinas College’s School of Education. Asmus said every local school district has been affected, although to varying degrees, by an influx of immigrants and migrants to the area. In Kentwood, she said, 87 languages are spoken in the district.
“Teachers aren’t necessarily equipped with the skills to help those students. That’s why this work is so important,” said Asmus.
Aquinas has partnered with Godfrey-Lee, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, Kentwood, Grand Rapids, and Wyoming schools as well as with the Diocese of Grand Rapids to train in-service and pre-service teachers through the five-year grant, awarded in 2015. When all is said and done, about 140 teachers will have completed the program.
Without the training, Asmus said, “We run the risk of teachers seeing the students as a burden. They actually have incredible assets, and if teachers know how to utilize them, they can benefit their district in a lot of ways. But if they don’t, (students) are going to fall behind, and struggle to catch up and unfortunately, in some circumstances, drop out. That works its way out in to the community as well.”
Asmus said that, as part of the grant, she is collecting data to better understand the impact of teachers who have the endorsement on students.
“What we’re hoping to see is that the students will be achieving higher and better under the direction of a teacher who has ESL certification,” said Asmus.
For more stories on area schools, visit the School News Network’s website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Ninth-grader Rodolfo Castillo, who came to Lee High School from Mexico with no English last August, said he has felt supported by Donovan in his path to bilingualism since arriving at Lee.
“Maybe as an adult I can find work easier than if I didn’t have two languages,” he said.
Modern computers in the Godfrey-Lee Public School’s Early Childhood Center, but quality, modern books are just as important. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
While there are rows of modern computers in the Godfrey-Lee Public School’s Early Childhood Center, a recent event celebrated an older means of early childhood education that is always of great value — putting quality, modern books in the hands of young readers, both in school and to take home.
Godfrey-Lee Public School Board of Education member Dave Blok reads with a student at the event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
At what was billed as “a celebration of literacy” April 24, at the Early Childhood Center in Wyoming, district Superintendent Kevin Polston detailed how the district gained $30,000 in grant funds to purchase books as he addressed a group of invited guests and staff, a discussion followed the group joining some of the young users of the new books for a little reading time.
“Literacy is important across the board, whether we are talking about it in the traditional sense — writing, speaking, listening — or technology literacy,” Polsten said to WKTV. “In the media center, this is hub of our school. It serves as ways to access information, whether is it via a computer or via a traditional, tangible book.
“You just really can’t replace putting a book in a kid’s hands,” Polston continued. “There is something special about touching, feeling, seeing the pictures, and engaging with the book. We know there is value to that.”
Dorothy VanderJagt, High Impact Leadership (H.I.L.) Grant program coordinator, reads with a student. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Last year Godfrey-Lee was accepted into the High Impact Leadership (H.I.L.) Grant program facilitated by Western Michigan University in partnership with the Reading Now Network, according to supplied information. One of the recommendations for improving literacy was to increase the amount of books students have access to in classrooms and media centers.
Upon learning of this recommendation, The Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation issued a $30,000 challenge grant to Godfrey-Lee to assist in making progress on the recommendation.
“Generous individual donors matched the $15,000 Binda gift to meet the $30,000 goal in just a few short months,” Polston said.
At the recent event, it was explained that the books purchase were mostly non-fiction, because it is important to keep up-to-date information in the students hands, and that they were high quality books which would last longer than the 1-to–2 year lifespan of more “mass-market” books — the district actually made the conscience decision to buy fewer books of higher quality than they could have bought of lesser quality books.
And that decision was wholeheartedly supported by one visitor, longtime local educator Dr. Vern Boss, who with his wife, Norma, and family were honored guests at the event.
Dr. Vern Boss, who with his wife, Norma, and family were honored guests at the event, reads with a student. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Boss, who was a former superintendent at Grandville Public Schools and Kent ISD, said to WKTV that the educational value of books has not changed over the years and “it is so much better if you can maintain a quality book.”
The Binda gift was actually given in honor of Boss, Polston said. The matching funds were from an anonymous donor or donors.
The books will be shelved not only in the Early Childhood Center but also in the district’s Godfrey elementary school — reaching not only a large community of low income and minority children not only in need of the tools of learning but deserving the tools.
“Our kids deserve the best,” Polston said to the audience at one point. “… it is about investing in our kids.”
For a video of the event produced by Lee High School students, visit here.
May is full of some amazing things. Voters for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools pass a sinking millage for the district and the 28th Street Metro Cruise Dust-Off took place. The local farmers markets are preparing to open with Metro Health Farm Market underway and the Kentwood Farmers Market set to start in June.
Speaking of June, the 49th Annual Festival of the Arts is just around the corner on June 1, 2, and 3 in downtown Grand Rapids. A celebration of the arts, the event recently hired an interim director, David Abbott, who stopped by the station to talk about his story of Festival. Also stopping by was LocalFirst Marketing Manager Mieke Stoub who talks to us about how to search the LocalFirst directory to help with a range of needs from spring cleaning to lawn care.
New Godfrey-Lee Public School superintendent Kevin Polston visits WKTV Journal’s In Focus set. (WKTV)
WKTV Staff
news@wktv.org
On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s public affairs show, program host Ken Norris talks with new Godfrey-Lee Public School superintendent Kevin Polston about the opportunities — not challenges — his district offers.
Also on the program, with all the road construction going on, just about everywhere, WKTV hosts a deputy managing director of the Kent County Road Commission as he discusses the public’s role in work zone safety.
The new episode will air twice a week on WKTV channels starting this week and running through Oct. 5. Along with all episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus, the new interviews are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.
In the interview, Superintendent Polston talks, among several topics, about how demographics of his district — which includes a high Hispanic population — is an obstacle to be overcome for some of his students but also could develop in a bilingual asset for future students and graduates.
A bilingual student population “is not one that has been traditionally valued because were get measured on the rate of English acquisition” by Spanish speaking students, Polston said. “Over 50 percent of our students qualify for English language services. … I think bilingual is a tremendous asset, especially with the largest growing demographic in our country right now is our Hispanic population.”
Prior to taking the position in July, Polston served as Lakeshore Middle School’s principal, but he has worked in the classroom as well as in administration. He received his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, and his master’s in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University.
“WKTV Journal: In Focus” will started airing on Tuesday, Sept. 26, and will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.
For a video of the In Focus interview with Jerry Byrne, deputy managing director of the Kent County Road Commission, see below.
Buffered between Godfrey-Lee’s Early Education Center and an industrial building is a swath of wilderness complete with trees, brush and a winding creek. It’s the habitat of birds, small mammals and on recent sunny afternoon, kindergartners.
“Forts are our forte,” joked Deb Schuitema, a math coach who joined in the effort with physical education teacher Julie Swanson to design the new Outdoor Learning Lab’s natural play area.
Kindergartners were challenged to make their own shelters after listening to a story called “A House is a House for Me,” by Mary Ann Hoberman. They used branches and colorful pieces of cloth to design their shelters. Some added rocks and leaves turned into decor, and, when finished, they went inside their “houses” and peeked out of the sheer material.
Kindergartners walk along the rock grotto, counting stones as they go.
Around them, another class joined a representative from Blandford Nature Center in exploring the area for bird habitats. A third class spread out on the grassy hill to read.
“We have had five different classes out here at the same time,” said Swanson, who introduces those in her classes to different ways to use their muscles and develop balance by climbing rocks and jumping from stump to stump. “A year ago, nobody would have come out here.”
The lab, planned for two years, now includes a rock grotto and a sandy play space where toy trucks stay busy excavating. And there’s a nearly complete stage made of logs. Plans are to add a slide built into the hill, a teepee surrounded by native plants, a texture garden and a student-designed nature path.
Physical education teacher Julie Swanson checks out a pine cone with kindergartners
“We really want to make this part of the kids’ everyday experience,” Schuitema said.
The City of Wyoming, Dykema Excavators Inc., and Tontin Lumber Co. donated rocks, downed trees, other materials and services. Last fall, Women Who Care of Kent County, a group that supports non-profit groups, donated $12,000 to the district for outdoor education.
Kindergartners hoisted up big sticks, adding another layer to a fort, and wrapped material around it.
“I like making homes,” said Arielly Sanchez. “We can go in them.”
As class ended, Swanson let out a huge, wolf-like howl, signaling to kindergartners that she needed their attention. They howled back, running up from their shelter-building to head back inside.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools inducted six new members into its Hall of Fame late last month, and while the most Rebel-rousing acceptance speech was given by — no surprise — long-time football coach and educator Thomas DeGennaro, the district’s hall of fame is for more than only athletic personalities.
The induction ceremony, which took place prior to a boys basketball game on Jan. 20 at Lee High School, also included a war hero, a university professor, a long-time school board member, a school band leader and a woman who gave back to the school system almost up to her last day.
Football coach and educator Thomas DeGennaro. (WKTV)
DeGennaro — who has served as teacher, principal and now, again, varsity football coach — was the final of the inductees to speak, and he spoke clearly about what it means to be a Lee High Rebel.
“I have been grateful to work with some of the toughest kids in the United States,” DeGennaro said. “To be a Rebel means you are willing to stand up against the establishment. You have to be willing to put yourself on the line when you stand up. Our kids here do this every day.
“They overcome obstacles that would unimaginable to surrounding districts. Many of our students are immigrants, or children of immigrants, much like my grandparents … These students overcome language, cultural and other challenges that stall most students learning process. Not only do they overcome these obstacles, they excel. … The establishment loves to keep these kids down, but they rebel. They are Rebels.”
DeGennaro’s history in the district includes taking a position on the Lee High faculty in 2002, teaching U.S. History and Geography as well as a variety of other elective social studies courses. But it is on the football field where he did most of his teaching. In 1998, he took over the Rebel football program and coached the first Lee football team ever to make it into the MHSAA playoffs, when his team went 8-2 in the fall of 2006. After an eight-year absence from the sidelines at Lee Field, he returned this past fall and has begun the process of rebuilding a program that has not experience much success since his last season in 2007.
Starting in 2007, the Rebel Hall of Fame selection committee, comprised of members of the Board of Education, district administration, faculty, alumni and the Godfrey-Lee community has selected alumni, staff and other individuals associated with Godfrey-Lee Public Schools in recognition of their achievements and contributions.
The six new members joined forty-two other individuals and one athletic team in the Hall of Fame. David Britten, superintendent of Godfrey-Lee School District, was master of ceremonies of the event.
This year’s inductees also included Staff Sgt. Daniel Hayes, Lee High School class of 2004; Dr. Carl J. Bajema, class of 1955; Dennis E. Groendyke, class of 1979 and Board of Education member from 1999 to 2016; Christine Vettese, district SIG Coordinator for 2010 to 2013; and Robert Hill, high school band director from 1967 to 1981.
Douglas Greenwold, class of 1960, was also selected but requested to delay participation in the induction ceremony until 2018.
Personal stories of dedication
Staff Sgt. Hayes is a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan military operations where, with the 101st Airborne Division, he earned the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat in Iraq in 2006. He was later personally awarded the Silver Star, the third highest decoration for valor for gallant actions and devotion to duty, while serving in Afghanistan in 2010. In 2011, he sustained another injury and earned a second Purple Heart. His award was accepted by his aunt.
Dr. Carl J. Bajema, with his wife, Claudia.
Dr. Bajema, after graduating from Lee, earned his Ph.D. in zoology from Michigan State University and retired from Grand Valley State University with the designation of Professor Emeritus in 2007 following a forty-three year teaching and scientific research career. He was also the recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Volunteer Service Award from the Historical Society of Michigan.
And his wife, reading from a statement and speaking for him due to a medical condition that hampers his ability to speak clearly, revealed a little of Dr. Bajema’s own history.
“When I learned I was to receive this Rebel award, I dug into my archives for my report cards, I actually had all my report cards,” Claudia Bajema said, as Carl waved an old report card for the audience to see. “Well, I can assure you that anyone viewing those would not conclude that I would be given one of these prestigious awards.
“I left my mark on the high school in an unconventional way. For several years following my graduation … my lab mate and me were given as an example of how not to do experiments. … we were in a hurry and failed to read all the instructions on how to conduct an experiment … (and) a chemical reaction caused an explosion, a volcano of sorts, leaving a very nasty stain on the ceiling.”
Dennis E. Groendyke
Groendyke, Board of Education member from 1999 to 2016, is a lifelong resident of the district who chose to raise his own family of seven children here and watch them attend Godfrey-Lee schools, according to supplied material. He concluded his service this winter following 17 years, including four-and-one-half years leading the board as president. A strong supporter of athletics, he has provided many hours of volunteer coaching for baseball and softball, including weekend clinics for youth during the school year.
“I love this district, I love the people in it, most of all I love the children,” Groendyke said. “My heart will always be here.”
Robert Hill
Hill was Lee High band director from 1967 to 1981, where he yearly took a “sometimes unruly” group of teen musicians unifying them into well organized marching and concert bands, according to supplied material. A visible teacher and mentor, he could be seen leading his bands at every home football and basketball game, believing that the band was central to inspiring young athletes and building school pride. His musical talents also carried him to perform with the Grand Valley State University faculty orchestra.
“This high school has, and always will, have a very special place in my heart,” Hill said. “I will always remember the joy of teaching students.”
Roberta Burke, sister of Christine Vettese.
Vettese was district SIG coordinator from 2010-13. She died in 2015. When Lee High School needed help with academic improvement to get off a state list of low-performing schools, she came out of retirement from East Grand Rapids schools and applied her many leadership, curriculum, and personal relationship skills to serve as a principle leader in that effort, according to supplied material. Through her advocacy, guidance and dogged persistence, she helped secure grants in excess of $3.5 million dollars over the three years to support the work of teachers, administrators, and students.
Her sister, Roberta Burke, accepted the award.
“I know if she were here today, she would say … its all about the students, and how to get them to be the best they can be,” Burke said, pointing to the heavens. “I know she is looking down right now and saying ‘bravo’ ” for what the district has accomplished.
The Godfrey-Lee Public School District battled a continuous malicious cyberattack beginning in September that sometimes left staff members with no access to student emergency and medical information.
The Wyoming Police Department and Michigan State Police are investigating the cyber attack. The district is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the criminal activity.
The entire district internet system was shut down nearly every school day. Attackers did this by jamming the AT&T router with traffic to the point it would shut down.
“It all seemed to be tied to school hours, not always starting the same time of day, but it always would end just as kids were getting out of school,” Superintendent David Britten said. “(AT&T) wouldn’t give us any information at all on where (the traffic) was coming from.”
To fix the problem, AT&T required Godfrey-Lee purchase the protection service.
Teresa Mask, senior public relations manager for AT&T Michigan, declined comment.
While the attacks had stopped as of early December, the district has locked into a three-year contract for a protection service with AT&T, costing $87,000 over three years.
Daniel Townsend, district director of technology and media services, said the cost for AT&T’s protection service is approximately $49,000 for 12 months. That includes a one-time $30,000 fee for an emergency setup. The cost for the remaining two years in the three-year contract is $19,000 a year. The Board of Education approved a $60,000 budget addition for this fiscal year to cover the cost — about the cost of a teacher, Britten said.
The district’s technology team first tried to use an out-of-state company to fix the problem, but that didn’t work because AT&T has control of the infrastructure. The out-of-state company did have another solution, but “it would have been a very complex process involving a lot of man-hours, so we chose to use AT&T since they own the infrastructure and could expedite the process,” Townsend said.
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools is the poorest district in Kent County. Ninety-five percent of students receive free or reduced-cost lunch.
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Santa visits the Gerald R. Ford International Airport
By Tara Hernandez
Gerald R. Ford International Airport
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) is getting into the holiday spirit with a music festival, and a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus.
Kris Kringle will be listening to children’s requests, and passing out treats with Mrs. Claus in the Airport’s Grand Hall from 1 – 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8. The event is free and the public is welcome to attend. Visitors are encouraged to bring a camera to snap a photo with Santa Claus. Photos with Santa are free of charge, but the airport is asking guests to bring in two non-perishable food items per person.
In addition to Santa’s appearance, GFIA’s traditional Holiday Music Festival is running the week of December 5-9. The 22nd Annual Holiday Music Festival brings in middle and high school choirs from around West Michigan singing a variety of Christmas carols.
Of the 15 choirs performing, several of those are from the Wyoming and Kentwood area. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 1:30 p.m. is Legacy Christian 7th and 8th Grade Choir. Wednesday, Dec. 7, the choir from Godfrey-Lee High School performs at 11 a.m. followed by East Kentwood High School Varsity Voices at noon. Thursday, Dec. 8, the Madrigals from South Christian High School perform at 1 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 9, the Wyoming Junior High Concert Choir performs at 10 a.m. with the choir from the Potter’s House at 2 p.m.
“Our airport is extremely busy around the holidays, but it is important for us to reflect upon what this season is all about,” said GFIA Interim President & CEO Phil Johnson. “We are hoping we can put some smiles on children’s faces as they sit on Santa’s lap and listen to carols, and at the same time we are asking West Michigan to give back to the community by donating non-perishable food items to those in need.”
The donated food items will go to Mel Trotter Ministries – a Grand Rapids organization serving the hungry, homeless and hurting in West Michigan through its shelter, food pantry, and job readiness and housing placement services.
“Life-change can start with a meal. That’s why we are blessed to partner with the Gerald R. Ford International Airport during our Fall Food Drive again this year,” said Dennis Van Kampen, CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries. “Partnerships like this one help make it possible for Mel Trotter Ministries to stock our pantry and serve more than 110 families a week who are seeking emergency food assistance.”
There are books galore in Rebecca English’s high school classroom. New and old and of many genres, they are categorized and in bins along the walls, on shelves and in a closet-turned-library.
There are also bundles of yarn stacked in a container on the floor, wooly materials to be knit into hats and mittens. Several handmade scarves hang from hooks on the wall.
When it comes to connecting with students, English does so purl by purl and page by page. She invites them into her den-like classroom for endless supplies of books and knitting needles, which she said are great mediums to get students to relax, talk and develop a sense of belonging. Their effectiveness is evidenced by teenagers who pop into the classroom to visit her during lunch every day.
They take a seat to read, eat or just start a conversation.
“When you walk into my room, kids always say it’s like walking into a big hug,” said English, who has taught at Godwin Heights High School for 23 years. “I want it to be cozy and nurturing.”
Sophomore Cecilia Montejo said she started writing poetry after being inspired by English. “You can be comfortable here. It’s a warm place inside school.”
“She has this smile on her face and is always happy,” sophomore LLuvia Fuentes said of English. “It’s full of books. It’s like the library in here.”
Three days a week at noon, the classroom becomes Knitting Club, Writing Club or Book Club, all which English advises. Over half-finished scarves, prose or verse, lots of bonding takes place.
“We talk about different situations, laugh and solve all the world’s problems,” English said.
Reaching Out to ‘Invisible’ Students
Teacher Rebecca English has more than 3,000 books.
English teaches special education English and social studies classes, and general education multicultural literature. A native of Grand Rapids, she grew up “with floor-to-ceiling bookcases” in her home. Her parents (her father was an Episcopal priest) stressed giving above everything else.
So as a teacher, English made it part of her job to do more than required. She jokes that a huge chunk of her paycheck goes toward books. Students call her an Amazon fanatic, and the staff at Schuler Books & Music know her by name.
She started the clubs — Knitting Club is in its third year, Book Club in its second, and Writing Club is new this year — to give students another way to be involved with school.
“I basically just saw a big need,” she said. “Our school offers sports, band, choir, art, but sometimes students fall through the cracks. Sometimes certain students do not feel a sense of belonging and feel disconnected from their own high school.”
English herself was once an “invisible student,” she admitted, so said she relates to those who tend to go unnoticed, those at the back of the class, not an athlete or academic superstar.
She also realized another need in Godwin Heights, a diverse district where more than 80 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch rates. “Some of our students come to school and this is their safe haven,” English said. “I think every kid wants to feel special in someone’s eyes, like someone’s caring for them.”
So her room is a sanctuary. During club sessions, students feel safe and free. “Goodbye social media for an hour. Goodbye fast-paced world. Goodbye chaos-filled minds,” English said.
English goes the extra mile in other ways. She brings groups of students to movies that are based on the books they read; she takes them shopping and to lunch. She hunts down the right book for the right student. Senior Zy Scott often spends her lunch hour in English’s classroom with a book in her hand. She didn’t even like reading much before she met English, who introduced her to “drama books,” she said.
Students in Knitting Club have ample material.
“Now I read every day,” Zy said. “She knows what kind of books I like, and we talk about them.”
Principal Chad Conklin said English’s work makes a big difference at Godwin Heights.
“Rebecca has a fantastic heart and passion for our students, and she works hard to ensure all students have an opportunity to connect to a club to build a sense of school pride and self confidence,” he said.
English, who has two daughters, even made sure one teenager had a home. “I had a student who needed a foster placement a few years ago.
Davonte ended up living with English’s parents, and now, at age 20, recently moved out on his own, she said.
“I feel kind of like that’s what I was put on Earth to do, to give back,” she said.
Advocating for Students
She is also her students’ biggest champion. In her ninth- and tenth-grade special education English class, she asks Shakespeare trivia questions. Students rattle off answers on his birthdate, wife, family and theatre. They know a lot about the Bard.
“I’d put them against anyone in the school,” she said. “They are Shakespeare experts.”
English loves to see students accomplish their goals, to see them dare to try new things. When they succeed it impacts others, she insists. In Knitting Club, they learn to make beautiful, handmade gifts and to teach others how to knit.
“The look on student’s faces when they come into the Knitting Club glowing because they were able to make a homemade Christmas gift for their family, is priceless.”
Student Edwin Daniels, also a former non-reader, talks about how he’s already read five books this year because English stocked her shelves with a series he really likes.
But getting to know English is about more than books and knowing Shakespeare, he said.
“We share in here. We share whatever. We’re different shades,” he said, about the ethnically diverse class. “(That students are different) doesn’t matter.”
What matters is the way English makes students know they are always welcome by handing them spools of yarn, a favorite novel or a comfy place to talk.
“I cannot help but smile and feel the joy,” she said. “My students have found their place.”
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After school on Mondays through Thursdays, more than 40 middle school students participate in TEAM 21, where they do homework, eat, play sports and participate in activities.
But a recent night was all about fun, complete with doughnuts and apple cider, slime-making and pumpkin ring-toss. Students participated in Lights On Afterschool, a national event that celebrates after-school programs.
TEAM 21 is run through a partnership between the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department and Godfrey-Lee, Wyoming, Godwin Heights and Kelloggsville Public Schools. Fifteen schools offer programs for more than 2,000 students ranging from kindergarten to ninth grade.
Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool promotes the role of after-school programs in keeping kids safe, inspiring them to learn and helping working families. The effort has become a hallmark of the after-school movement and annually sees more than 1 million Americans celebrate at more than 8,000 events nationwide.
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It can be a looooong way from when the first sentences are written to when a completed novel hits the shelves. Publishing is a journey often wrought with rejection and lots of revision, said MarcyKate Connolly, author of fantasy books for middle-grade and young adults.
“If there’s anything I want you to take with you today it’s that writing is rewriting,” Connolly told about 50 Lee Middle-High School students who attended the session because they have an interest in writing.
Connolly talked about the roadmap to publishing, which she learned by writing her books “Monstrous” and “Ravenous,” tales geared toward tweens that have been likened to Frankenstein and the Brothers Grimm.
Connolly, of Boston, made a stop at Lee while visiting Grand Rapids Comic-Con, the popular event where sci-fi, fantasy and comic book fans gather. She explained the quest of a writer, including spending many hours in her “writing cave,” the challenge of finding an agent to represent the book, the experience of rejection and the work that continues after a book is accepted for publishing.
And finally, the thrill of seeing the book at stores and in the hands of others.
MarcyKate Connolly signs a book for the Lee Middle-High School media center
A marketing professional by day, Connolly said her love for writing and storytelling kept her going despite more than 300 rejections from publishers. She wrote several books that were never published and received her first offer for publishing after four years of trying.
“Publishing is not something you get into thinking you are going to get rich quick or going to be a mega bestseller overnight,” she said. “You do it because you love it.”
Connolly had to re-assess her goals, at one point. “Why am I doing this to myself?” she recalled asking after getting rejection after rejection. So she continued writing for herself, making up the stories and characters she loved.
Kelly McGee, Godfrey-Lee district media specialist, said Connolly’s visit helped students think about writing as a career and the process of becoming an author. He said he hopes to start a student writer’s group. “I think we have a lot of writers here.”
He said he also wanted students to leave with the message that perseverance is required for accomplishing your dreams.
Connolly’s books were published through HarperCollins Publishers. Her next book, “Shadow Weaver,” is scheduled for release in winter 2018.
She encouraged students to find their “tribe” — other writers they can use for empathy, feedback and critique. And no matter how many failed attempts, she urged students to look at it as getting somewhere.
“Whatever words you write are not wasted,” she said.
Freshman Olivia Clark, who loves writing, said Connolly’s words resonated. “Don’t give up. You’ve got to be strong. There are harsh people out there.”
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You can “Jump!” in teacher Jeff Patin’s introduction to video production class, or “Walk like an Egyptian,” or go “Dancing in the Dark.”
As part of the class, ninth- through 12th-grade students harked back to the “I want my MTV” decade by creating music videos as they existed when the craft started out. While practicing camera shots, angles and movements, they also learned a little about totally ’80s hair bands and the corny lyrics teenagers rocked to three decades ago.
Godfrey-Lee High School Senior Aracely Quinones records with senior Miguel Lemus
Patin said the project was a way to practice and showcase their video production skills — and, to some extent, entertain him and other Godfrey-Lee Public Schools staff members who remember the decade well. The students recently presented their finished videos to the Board of Education.
“It’s different,” said senior Humberto Gallarzo, about the music from Patin’s generation. Humberto helped produce the video, “Oh Sherrie” by Steve Perry.
Why the ’80s? “That’s my decade,” Patin joked. “Why do something really cinematic when you can do something really cheesy?”
Students are unfamiliar with the songs, he said, and have to take time learning the lyrics. “I chose the ’80s because verbally they are safe (not explicit) and it puts everybody on the same playing field because they don’t know the songs,” Patin explained.
New Tech for Retro Remakes
Unlike in the ’80s, students in the class make their videos with their smart phones and use the Apple program iMovie for editing. The results are shot-for-shot remakes of some of the most memorable songs from 30 years ago, from jumping like Eddie Van Halen to crooning like Rick Springfield over “Jessie’s Girl.” In editing, the original video appeared in the corner of students’ remakes to show how closely they match. “It was hard to stay serious,” said senior Aracely Quinones, who served as camera operator for the “Oh, Sherrie” video.
“It’s fun and you’re learning at the same time,” said senior Johnny Lopez, who edited the video. “It gets people out of their comfort zone.”
Because of the music video and other projects in the class, students said they now watch TV and movies in a new way, paying attention to the angles, framing, movements and other elements.’
“I can’t watch a simple show without thinking about this class,” said senior Miguel Lemus.
Lydia Hernandez took the day off from volunteering at the elementary school to prepare a big meal for visitors from the district’s human-centered design team. Around the table, team members interviewed her for 90 minutes about her husband, who was at work, her background and her education. They asked her about dreams for her children, Kevin, an eighth-grader and Kaylee, a fourth-grader.
The team added Hernandez’s comments, along with those from 19 other district families, to data they are using to reform the district according to the needs of students using the human-centered design process, an approach to problem solving that incorporates the wants and needs of end users of a product or service in every stage. It starts and ends with the beneficiary, in this case Godfrey-Lee students.
“It felt good because they chose my family,” said Hernandez, a committed volunteer at Kaylee’s school. “I was able to talk to them about my story, my family and my kids… The opinion of the parents is important.”
Interviewing families was part of the initial year of the two-year process, under way to improve education in the small, mostly Hispanic, low-income district. The team – nine teachers, five administrators, a support staff member, a Board of Education member, a leadership coach and two design consultants – also spent 60 hours at 22 work sessions exploring information to determine true needs of students.
The process is funded by a $250,000 Steelcase Foundation grant, which is covering guidance by representatives of New North Center, a Holland-based nonprofit hybrid education and business organization. It includes a leadership and accountability coach, stipends for session participation and other tasks.
Of the 20 families, teams interviewed parents of students in the district, parents of graduates, a Schools of Choice parent, and those who are very involved and uninvolved in the schools. Each group interviewed three Hispanic, one black and one white family, mirroring the district’s demographics. They also interviewed an Iraqi family. Plans are to continue interviewing other district stakeholders, such as business people and alumni.
What’s the End Goal?
“Why we are doing this is because we don’t have an education system that helps kids realize their dreams, their vision and their goals for the future,” said Superintendent David Britten.
The team aims to work toward new ideas, instruction philosophies and programs that better suit students’ individual needs, said Britten, who is an advocate for play-based learning in early childhood education and classrooms where all students can take different pathways to develop their own interests.
Currently, schools are run with pre-set expectations that aren’t working for many students, he said. “We are telling them, ‘This is your goal. Your goal is to go to college. This is the path to getting there because it was a path created based on the average student, and everyone is expected to take that same path.'”
The team has studied broad topics: school-parent communication and relationships, creating a culture of acceptance and belonging, socialization in learning, and student choice.
Meetings have resulted in interconnected diagrams under headings like Relevance, Dynamic Learning, Community, Soft Skills and Basic Needs. Hundreds of ideas gathered from district stakeholders are written on Post-It notes with messages such as “Students need to create meaning,” “Students need to do to know” and “Students need today’s interests to be the foundation of new learning.”
Human-design team member Jason Cochran, a teacher at the alternative high school, East Lee, said ideas at the secondary level have included putting students in charge of what goes on at school, making it more of a democratic process in which students have input. Also, he said, that a more flexible schedule may benefit teenagers.
“A big part of it is focusing on what the kids themselves are interested in,” he said, noting that it’s often a battle convincing students what they need to learn.
He asked a few of his own students how they could learn better. “One was very outdoorsy and really into nature and animals,” Cochran said. “Immediately, he said, ‘I wish we could have school outside and learn about things like that. Instead I have to sit at a desk eight hours a day.’ That doesn’t work for him.”
Lydia Hernandez, a mom interviewed by the human-centered design team, makes copies while volunteering at school
Getting Rid of The Average
Britten has often said that he envisions a district without clocks, calendars or grade levels and no expectations based on averages. It’s the opposite of the current system, which he calls outdated and ineffective.
“The system itself is a structure based on the average,” he said. “It’s been designed that way purposely, because we have this mythical idea there is an average kid out there, which no one can ever identify because an average kid does not exist.”
Yet, in using a mathematical average with 20 percent at the top and 20 percent at the bottom, somewhere in the middle lies what is currently deemed the “average” child, on which time constraints and curriculum is based.
But peek into a Godfrey-Lee classroom and that child isn’t there. “We have kids all over the place because of poverty, because they’ve moved here from low-performing schools or different countries so they have language barriers,” Britten said. “We are still expected to move them all one full year of academic growth even if they aren’t ready for it.
“Our whole process this year has been to identify that as the problem and to gain empathy with all the stakeholders in this process to see it from their points of view.”
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Residents unload trash into the dumpsters during the Wyoming Community Clean-Up Day.
Of those who came, most didn’t mind waiting to dump their trash and other items at the Godfrey-Lee Athletic Field this past Saturday. They were just happy that the City of Wyoming was hosting the Community Clean-Up Day event.
“We’re just appreciative that the City of Wyoming did this,” said Wyoming resident Michael Donavan, who also works at Godfrey-Lee. Donavan said his family recently helped his father clean out his garage and he came with a truck and trailer full of items.
“The wait is not that big of deal,” said Wyoming resident Melissa Digiovanna, who had her own vehicle along with a friend’s truck full of items. “It is just super awesome that the city is doing this.”
Early indicators showed that the Wyoming Community Clean-Up Day was to be a success as the original story on now.wktv.org had more than 425 Facebook shares. City officials said there was a line when the event opened at 8 a.m. this past Saturday with one of the four dumpsters completely full shortly after opening.
The line to get into the Community Clean-Up Day at one point was backed up to where Joosten Street intersected with Godfrey Lee Avenue.
Nancy Stoddard, who works in the city’s treasurer’s office and was part of the organizing committee, had hoped for about 300 cars. Final count was 332 vehicles – including some small U-Haul-style trucks. About 130 of those vehicles dropped off household hazardous waste and 33 20-yard roll-offs of trash were collected. Stoddard said she was still waiting on total tonnage collected.
Stoddard said the committee, which was the city employee group Looks Good Committee, already has begun thinking about next year’s event which includes checking with Godfrey-Lee about possibly having the same location. “I have been checking into grant opportunities,” Stoddard said. This year’s event was unwritten by grants. Also Stoddard said next year, organizers are planning to start with eight dumpsters on the ground to help move people through faster.
“The area that we had this year was so spacious, we really had room for more,” Stoddard said.
Megan Kretz, a resource recovery specialist from the Kent County Department of Public Works and who was helping with the event, said the way the Community Clean-Up Day had been organized and laid out, it really didn’t seem like a first-time event. Cars entered through Joosten Street into the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center’s west parking lot and curved around exiting on to Godfrey Avenue. There were several checkpoints where people could unload household hazardous waste, gently used items to the Salvation Army, recycle items and trash.
“It’s a wonderful event,” said Matthis Fields who was with the Salvation Army. “I love doing these type of events. It’s a beautiful day. Nice weather and I am just so glad to be here.”
As Fields talked, one of the volunteers walked by with a fireplace in an unopened box to put on the Salvation Army truck, which was about two-thirds full by noon.
“This just happens to be one of the good parts, events like these,” Fields said with a smile.
The beat of Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center students’ drums mixed with jangling tambourines, clanging blocks and sounds made by hitting sticks on household items recycled as instruments.
“Let’s all start a beat. … Here we go. … Let’s all start a beat,” said Lori Fithian, whose program Drummunity gets people pounding, tapping and grinning everywhere she goes.
Second-grader Jalyhia Reid bangs on the drum
As part of music class, students at the preschool-through-second-grade school gathered in a circle with Fithian in the middle, to use bongo and hand drums and other percussion instruments and to play simple drum-circle games.
Together, they made music, playing in unison. Later that evening, parents participated in a community drumming event.
Fithian, an Ann Arbor resident and artist who has studied different drumming traditions, said her concept is simple. “I help people make music together,” she said. “We basically just learn how to cooperate and come together. … It’s not really a musical thing. It’s more of a community-cooperation exercise, though we are using music to learn about all of that.”
First-grader Latrese McFerrin said she learned how to “make echoes” using instruments. “We got to switch instruments like drums and a plastic block,” she said.
Everyone Can Drum
Drummunity brings drumming to schools, libraries, community centers and other locations. Fithian’s visit was paid for through a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council.
Isabel Deleon-Magana smiles as she plays
Every culture has its own drum tradition and all ages can participate, she said. Getting students to drum with her is different from teaching other instruments.
“Everybody knows how to play drums; even babies can play drums. It’s a really natural thing that people can do together,” she said.
Students learn to keep a steady beat, and a whole lot more.
“They get a little bit of everything,” Fithian said. “They get to pound on something, play something, just explore the different sounds or learn what a drum is and how we can make music together.”
With older kids, Fithian teaches the concept of improvisation, creating new beats as they play. “We are not reading any music here; we are able to make something up with our own creativity.”
Tami Nelson, ECC music teacher, said she planned the event for her students to have the chance to make music with other people.
“This is a very good way for them to interact and see what they can do,” Nelson said. “One of the things about percussion instruments is various ability levels can easily access them. … They get to freely experience their music-making.”
Students said it was an experience they enjoyed. “I liked playing the drum,” said first-grader Taclara O’Bryant. “I like the music.”
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On Saturday, December 19, children near the Godfrey-Lee school district right here in Wyoming, MI received a surprise gift sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Thanks to the 11th annual Elves & More West Michigan project, 1,800 kids went home as brand-new bike owners.
Each year, organizers of Elves & More decide on an area of need in West Michigan, and bring Christmas joy to families by giving away bikes to kids age 3-16. The location is kept secret until the morning of the giveaway, and then the message is released in a hurry! Families in the Godfrey-Lee area were alerted by a last-minute text through the school district, and the Wyoming police and fire department rolled through neighborhoods announcing the giveaway from their loudspeakers.
This year, 300 volunteers unloaded a bevy of bikes from semi-trucks and set up at Lee Middle and High school off of Havana Avenue.
Elves & More is a non-profit organization devoted to bringing hope to children. They do this by raising funds to purchase, assemble and deliver high-quality bikes and treasure boxes to 1,000 children each holiday season.
In the past 11 years, Elves & More West Michigan has provided 11,800 new bikes and helmets to children in need around Grand Rapids.
Last year, 1,500 bikes were donated in Southeast Grand Rapids.
If you’re looking to get involved for next holiday season, visit Elves & More West Michigan! A donation of $65 buys one lucky child a bike and a helmet. This past year, 13 corporate donors helped provide the 1,800 bikes now tearing up the black top in Godfrey-Lee!
The lights were on at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center and Spiderman and Batman were in the building.
The district’s after-school program, TEAM 21, recently welcomed families and students for a night of games, superhero-mask decorating and Halloween cookie munching during “Lights On After-School.”
About 7,500 after-school programs participated in the annual nationwide event. It was started in 2000 by the Washington D.C.-based nonprofit organization Afterschool Alliance, which promotes keeping the doors open after school to offer academic help and recreation for students.
Sixth-grader Jasmin Landero said TEAM 21 is a great place to stay busy after school
Godfrey-Lee TEAM 21 coordinators put their own twist on the evening, inviting families by “Calling All Superheroes” to the event. Sixth-graders led games in the hallways for youngsters, some dressed in costumes. Families ate dinner provided by the school and took photos with their favorite caped crusaders.
“The whole point of the event is to showcase that we are here to help with the kids,” said Brittani Stickler, TEAM 21 site coordinator for the Godfrey-Lee ECC.
While the evening was focused on fun, TEAM 21 offers homework help and enrichment activities after school Monday through Thursday, plus summer programming. “We target at-risk kids and those who need the most academic help,” Stickler said. “It’s been a super help for parents.”
Team 21 is run through a partnership between the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department and Godfrey-Lee, Wyoming, Godwin Heights and Kelloggsville Public Schools, with 15 schools offering programs for students ranging from kindergarten to ninth grade.
Godfrey-Lee is a high-poverty district with a large percentage of English-language learners. Many parents work in the evening and aren’t able to provide homework help, district officials said.
Sixth-grader David Arellano poses with Godfrey-Lee Rebel mascot
Ramona Maleka Freeman came to the event with her five children, two of whom regularly attend TEAM 21. “I like the way they help out with homework and spend a lot of time loving and caring for the kids. I like that it’s a positive program and the kids aren’t out learning negative things.”
Sixth-grader Jasmin Landero spread orange frosting on a cookie. “TEAM 21, to me, is not just a school thing. We get school stuff done, but we really have fun.”
Need for After-school Programs by the Numbers
• 19.4 million kids would participate in an after-school program if one were available to them.
• 11.3 million kids are on their own in the hours after school.
• 23 million parents of school-age children work outside of the home full time.
• An analysis of 68 after-school studies found that students participating in high-quality after-school programs went to school more, behaved better, received better grades and performed better on tests compared to non-participants.
• A study of outcomes associated with participation in after-school programs found that students who regularly participate during elementary school showed a variety of gains, including narrowing the math achievement gap at grade five between high-income and low-income students; improving work habits and self-efficiency; and reducing absences.
Be sure to check out School News Network for more stories about our great students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan!
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